Mr Richard Sharples: Because normal immigration controls would operate and it would be possible to keep undesirable people out in the same way as now.
Mr Richard Sharples: No, Sir. My right hon. Friend's predecessor decided in January, 1969, to withdraw the concession under which a Commonwealth citizen was allowed to settle here in right of his wife, and the reasons he then gave are valid today.
Mr Richard Sharples: No, Sir; I do not accept what the hon. Gentleman says. The change was introduced in 1969 because of the large and increasing number of men taking advantage of the existing concessions as a means of circumventing the employment voucher scheme. Now that the number of admissions is very much smaller there is all the more possibility of an abuse occurring in this way.
Mr Richard Sharples: I shall bear in mind what the hon. Gentleman says in the drafting of the immigration rules. The matter was discussed at considerable length in Committee during the passage of the Immigration Act.
Mr Richard Sharples: As I think the hon. Gentleman knows very well, individual cases of this kind are considered on their merits.
Mr Richard Sharples: It is the view of this Government, as of their predecessors, that useful preparations can be made to reduce the effects of nuclear war in the respects mentioned.
Mr Richard Sharples: The whole policy has been under re-examination in recent months. A circular was issued to local authorities yesterday dealing with Government policy in this respect, and a copy has been placed in the Library.
Mr Richard Sharples: No, Sir, I would not accept that. Certainly in areas outside the immediate point of impact it is possible for people to take precautions which will enable a number of lives to be saved.
Mr Richard Sharples: The manufacturers have modified the label. I see no need for further action.
Mr Richard Sharples: The manufacturers have been co-operative about this. I understand that on the more recent containers the illustration of the lemon is almost obliterated by the words "2½p off".
Mr Richard Sharples: Between 1st August, 1968, and the end of 1970 the average fine imposed on summary conviction in England and Wales for this offence was just over 4 per cent. of the maximum. There were two convictions on indictment, the penalty imposed in each case being imprisonment.
Mr Richard Sharples: These are matters for the courts. It would be a serious matter to impinge on their authority by imposing minimum sentences. As my hon. Friend knows, this matter has been discussed in Standing Committee.
Mr Richard Sharples: Of course we do not know the circumstances of the various cases, but under the Criminal Justice Bill the maximum penalties for this type of offence are being increased and I have no doubt that the courts will take that into account.
Mr Richard Sharples: I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Mr. Money) on 17th January.—[Vol. 829, c. 69.]
Mr Richard Sharples: Clubs have had the advantage of the expert committee which was presided over by Mr. Walter Winter-bottom. A large number of clubs have taken advantage of his advice. I hope the Wheatley Report will be available towards the end of March or early in April.
Mr Richard Sharples: Copies of this code, which was published on 2nd February last, have been sent to the associations representing owners and operators of dry-cleaning establishments for distribution to their members. The trade is being encouraged to adopt the recommendations in the code as soon as practicable.
Mr Richard Sharples: The best thing would be for me to send a copy of the code to the hon. Lady, as it is long and fairly complex.
Mr Richard Sharples: I regret that the information is not yet available.
Mr Richard Sharples: Leaving aside the latter part of my hon. Friend's question, the electoral register was published on 16th February this year, and this has to be processed and analysed. It is hoped that provisional figures will be available in about six weeks' time.
Mr Richard Sharples: Not necessarily, by any means.